Topic: Not Moved By Tears! [Tuesday July 28, 2015] Memorise: I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. - Psalm 138:2 Read: Psalm 138:1-3 (KJV) 1 A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Bible In One Year: Ezra 6:13-8:23; John 6:1-24 MESSAGE: If there is anything we need so dearly to succeed in life, it is wisdom. In God's manual for life, wisdom is declared to be the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7). What then is wisdom? Practically speaking, wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. The fellow who is educated but fails to apply what he or she knows appropriately will be considered a fool. This is why education alone does not confer wisdom. There are several professors who, in spite of all their chains of degrees, still operate in folly. If knowledge alone is wisdom, then no doctor would engage in smoking because all doctors know that smoking is injurious to health. A particular doctor who smokes was asked "You are a doctor; you know smoking is bad for your health and yet you still smoke. Why?" Can you believe his reply? He said "Everybody will eventually die by one means or the other someday. Some will die in an accident; some will die by an assassin's bullet. I have chosen to die by smoking cigarettes." Wisdom therefore is having knowledge and applying it correctly for your personal benefit. Are you an educated fool? It is time to change your ways. As a worker in God's vineyard, it is important to know that God is not moved by emotions, tears, or by rolling on the ground. Rather, He is moved by the correct application of the principles contained in His Word. His Word is declared to be forever settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89).  God is a God of principles; hence, a mathematician like me finds it easy to enjoy Him, because mathematicians are not often moved by emotions. Take for instance this equation: 2 + 2 = 4. Whether you like it or not, it always remains the same. If you like, you can weep from morning till evening saying "I want 2 + 2 to be 6." It will not change anything, because 2 + 2 = 4 will ever remain the same, be it on earth, on the moon or under the sea. When you know that God is not moved by emotions but by His Word, wisdom demands that you apply His Word more often. Psalm 138:2 says, "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Obeying God's Word moves Him. God honours those who stand on His Word. This means that you need to increase in the knowledge of God's Word so that you will be able to stand on it. Give more time to knowing His Word and stand on it today. Action Point: Pick a problem confronting you, and find out God's principles on how to solve it. Simply apply these principles, and check out the result you will obtain.

MAKE ROOM FOR MORE Pastor Sam Adeyemi           |                  Genesis 22: 1-18 Enlargement – that is the word the Lord has given us for 2013. Make room for more. If you have experienced delay in any area of your life, be it spiritually, financially, maritally, professionally, physically, emotionally etc; expect to receive everything back in full measure. All that belongs to you by destiny is coming back to you with compound interest. In the next twelve months, expect supernatural speed, divine acceleration and surprises. Don’t make the mistake of measuring your future by your past. God works in seasons and there is nothing you can do to make something happen outside of its season. We are now entering into a new season. In preparation for the new level, begin to dream in bigger dimensions, trusting God to be the one who will fulfil His word. Don’t short-change yourself. Dare to dream big. It’s going to be dangerous to have small goals and risky to have no goals or even low goals. (vv 1-3) God will not ask you to do what He does not have the capacity to make happen. Stake your life and your reputation on God and His word. Think possibilities, think miracles. Reflect on the impossible feats God performed in the lives of Joseph, David, Hannah, Sarah and Abraham. Remove negative words from your vocabulary and change your thinking. Don’t be afraid. You will not be embarrassed because at the appropriate time, every form of embarrassment will be terminated. Everyone will see that God loves you and He has chosen to favour you and it will be evident that your season has come. We are entering into a season of prosperity. Don’t let critics shame you into being afraid to prosper for His word says He is going to prosper you, decorate, beautify and build every area of your life on a new level (vv 11 –12). However, your God-given prosperity is not supposed to be fuelled by greed or to be used to oppress people but rather use your wealth to empower people, to rebuild cities, nations and broken lives. God is giving you success and successors, prosperity and posterity because you are receiving an anointing for impartation (vs 13). Your blessings will be reproducible. God is going to use you to touch lives in dramatic ways as you become an agent of salvation, deliverance and restoration in peoples’ lives. This is not the year to think that God will teach you lessons with bad experiences and events. These are the days of faith and not fear. Do not be afraid of the shadows. Remember that the shadow of a dog cannot bite. (vv 14 – 15) This is the year to do the right thing fearlessly. It is important to remember that you disqualify yourself once you compromise your stand in God and in Christ. Each time you compromise in order to get a promotion or an advantage, it’s an expression of lack of trust in God. No weapon that can hurt you has ever been created. (vv 16-17) The key to opening the door of miracles for the next twelve months is to create an atmosphere of celebration around your life perpetually – whether it makes sense or not. That way, you will attract God’s presence and cause Him to arise on your behalf. Praise is an act of faith. Don’t forget the prophetic instruction – SING. The starting point however, is a personal relationship with God. That is the foundation.  

A Father’s Advice To His Son On Women And Marriage My son, lend me your ears, the kind of wife you marry would determine the kind of life you’d have after marriage. I mean, if you’re a happy single man and you marry hell as a wife, your life will be in hell. To buttress my point, remember what Shakespeare said, “A bad marriage will make you a philosopher”. Take your time to marry right so you don’t end up in a bad marriage. Here are the few things you should consider. 1. Not all beautiful women are ‘beautiful’ wives Does that sound strange? Beauty doesn’t make a woman a good wife. There are many beautiful women that are bad wives. Don’t dwell on her beauty, look beyond her container to see what she’s made of. Beauty will fade but her virtues and innate potentials would outlive her beauty. 2. You can’t know the right woman if you lean on your understanding Most of you guys think you can know the right woman to marry by adopting all the ‘means’ you know. Likes of catching her young, becoming her friend cannot help you if you neglect the place of God. Only God who knows the right person can lead you to the right woman if you wouldn’t lean on your understanding. 3. Don’t be carried away by a woman’s personality let God lead you That she can sing, she’s nice, caring and all those good personalities that women have isn’t still good enough to make her your suitable help meet. You may not be a perfect blend for her if you marry her personality. Don’t be carried away or follow the philosophical teachings regarding marriage. Going for what you want isn’t enough to guarantee you the right spouse. Relax! Be calm and let God take the lead. 4. You need patience to live with a woman, love is not enough Do you think I would have being able to stay this long with your mother without patience? One characteristics of love is patience. The love many of you profess is impatient. No matter how you’d describe her beauty or personality, without patience, you can’t live peacefully and happily with her. It is not everything a woman says that you should react to and it’s not everything she reacts to that would make you loose your mind. Women have vocal strength but as a man, you must have emotional stability to absorb it including her weaknesses. There are times we fight, quarrel, have misunderstandings and sometimes I asked myself “Why did I marry her?” But the God factor, love and patience held us together. 5. It’s only a man that can leave to cleave to his wife, boys can’t There’s a big difference between a man and a boy. Boys play, they become players but men ‘mean’ business and they become real men. Boys are tied to their mother’s apron, playful mentality and display acts of irresponsibility. They’re not strong enough to make decisions for themselves and be responsible for their actions. Grow to be a man. Don’t move with ‘boys’ but learn from real men. Real men care for their wives but boys care for themselves. Once you’re married, cleave to your wife and don’t cling to any woman – your mother or female friends. 6. Your relationship can only work as long as you’re willing to make it work Marriage is like a house, it takes two to build it. You must do the things that would make you build your house firmly such as having a good foundation (God), love, patience, wisdom, understanding and so on. If you’re not willing to have a successful marriage, a magic wand won’t make it successful. Do your best to make it successful despite any challenges that would come your way. There are no exit route in marriage, once you’re in it, only death can do you part. So, take your time to marry right and let God guide you before you make any move. 7. Be a man A man is not defined by the six pack abs he has on his chest or by the sexual strength he has. A man is known by His major source of influence – God, god or men. Be spiritually connected to God so you can lead your wife and she’ll be able to look up to you. Never wish your wife to be more spiritually sound than you, you’ll only be relegating your spiritual position. Get a good source of income. Be emotionally stable and be mentally balanced. It takes a woman to build a home and it takes wisdom for the man to protect the builder. It’s never difficult to live with a woman if you marry the right one. You cannot love the wrong woman and would expect to have a successful relationship. Work on yourself and ensure that you have a good relationship with God, it’ll help you so much in life. Don’t trivialize these truth, keep it in your right hand and also share with your friends.

Topic: Unforgiveness & Its Restitution [Wednesday July 22, 2015] Memorise: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. - 1 John 3:15 Read: 1 John 2:9-11 (KJV) 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 30-31; John 2 MESSAGE: As children of God, we must always be watchful of pitfalls capable of nullifying all our efforts towards making Heaven. For example, God expects you to make restitution when you have told a lie incriminating an innocent person. In the same vain, if you have injured someone, you need to restitute. An example of this can be found in Acts 16:33-34, where the jailor who had contributed to the predicament of Paul and Silas took them to his house, treated their injuries and gave them decent food. Have you injured someone physically, emotionally or psychologically? Restitute your ways. In addition, if someone offends you so hard that you promised never to forgive the fellow, there is a need to forgive and release that individual so that you can make Heaven at last. Anyone who hates his brother has stepped out of God’s light into darkness and is seen as a murderer in the sight of God (1 John 3:15). If you are in hatred, you are out of eternal life. Has anyone offended you to the extent that you resolved not to forgive? You must change that decision now if you do not want it to hinder your trip to Heaven. I once hated a particular man very much, because of the way he maltreated my family and I. But after I gave my life to Christ, I did not only forgive him, I also went to tell him he was forgiven. It was not an easy thing for me to do, but by the grace of God, I did it. Is there un-forgiveness in your heart over some hurt or offence done to you? If you love yourself, forgive today. Forgiveness must be communicated to the one you have forgiven except it is done without sincerity. Some people say, “I have forgiven my offender but I will not tell him so.” How will the fellow you forgave know that he or she is forgiven? When a person is offended, it is like being owed some kind of debt. It is when forgiveness is released that the debt is paid. Refusing to forgive your offender sustains the debt, and we are commanded not to owe any man anything but love (Romans 13:8). The irony of un-forgiveness is that the one who refuses to forgive hurts himself or herself the most. The offender may be going about with a free mind, but the offended carries a heavy heart. Also, by begrudging the offender, the offended cannot move beyond where he or she is. Unforgiveness ties the offended to the same spot. I hope you are not the one pegging your rise by not releasing your offender? Action Point: List the names of people you hold a grudge against or who hold a grudge against you, and prayerfully reconcile with them immediately. - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/07/open-heavens-devotional-july-22-7-2015-unforgiveness-its-restitution-pastor-adeboye.html#sthash.9LHh4a3q.dpuf

A DIVINE REVELATION FROM HEAVEN TO KATHRYN FROM JESUS For this purpose you were born To write and tell What I have shown and told you, For these things are faithful and true. Your call is to let the world know That there is a heaven, and there is a hell, and that I, Jesus, was sent by the Father So save them from torment And to prepare them a place in heaven. ---------------------------------------------------------- Inside the Gates God, in His infinite mercy and grace, permitted me to go to that beautiful place called heaven. The logistics of my trip to His home and back to earth are unclear to me, but I cannot be mistaken about the reality of it. How were the incomparable wonders of heaven revealed to a mere mortal like me? Let me start at the beginning. One night the Lord appeared to me and told me I was chosen for a special assignment. He said, “My child, I will manifest Myself to you to bring people out of darkness into light. I have chosen you for a purpose: you are to write and make a record of the things that I will show and tell you." I submitted myself to God completely, and astounding things began to happen. I was taken from where I was at the time and transported into hell itself. I was aware of all five of my senses: I could see, feel, hear, smell, and taste. Yet, this was a supernatural happening. I realized that the impact it made on me was for a purpose. For days after I was taken by the Lord into hell, I was very grieved in my heart. My heart was sad and burdened because of the horrors I saw. I had viewed the judgment of God on sin and on the people who had gone to hell. I prayed earnestly to God and sought His comfort. On the thirty-first night after these events began, the power of Almighty God fell on me again. At two o’clock in the morning, a mighty angel stood beside my bed. Jesus Christ was standing behind the angel. As I looked on the face of the Lord standing there, He smiled at me, but He did not say anything. The mighty messenger of God said, “God has given me a special mission. I am sent here to take you to heaven and to show you parts of it." After a moment, he spoke again, “Come and see the glory of God!" At once, I was supernaturally transported from my home and found myself standing out side one of the gates of heaven with the heavenly angel. The overwhelming beauty of what I saw around me was breathtaking! The clothing the heavenly being wore looked like a brilliant garment of light. The angel had triangular-shaped wings that glistened with the colors of the rain bow. Although I wasn’t surprised, I was amazed at the indescribable beauty of God that was evident all around. The next thing I knew, the angel repeated an exclamation that I would hear many times: “Behold, the glory of God!" The magnificent gate that stood before me in splendor was made of a solid pearl. In awe I took in everything I could of this most beautiful sight. At this point, I could not see the Lord anywhere, but I was totally enraptured by the glory of heaven. ENTERING HEAVEN When we arrived there, two very tall angels were standing outside the gate. Both of them wore glistening robes and had swords in their hands. Their hair was like spun gold, and their faces gleamed with light. The angel accompanying me moved over to speak to the two angels guarding the gate, and I was left standing alone. In amazement, I thought, “Oh, how glorious are the gates of heaven! How wonderful it is to see this one for myself!" Suddenly, I realized that I was actually going to enter into heaven. As I watched the angels of the Lord, I could hear some of the conversation they were having. One of them went inside the gate and returned almost immediately with a small volume. The book had a gold cover, and the printing inside was also in gold. It seemed to be a book about my life’s history. My name was stamped on the cover: Mary Kathryn Baxter A smile of approval came over the angels’ faces. They opened the book. They looked at each other, then said in a voice I could hear, “She may come inside the gate." My guiding angel escorted me through the magnificent gate and into heaven. Suddenly, music filled the whole atmosphere. It was all around me. It was above me. It seemed to penetrate my very being. Wave after powerful wave of beautiful music and singing surged across the landscape and seemed to envelop everything and everyone. When I stepped inside the city, amazement again took my breath. The landscape of that in comparable city was beyond description. Surrounding me were the most beautiful, colorful flowers I had ever seen. There was unbelievable greenery and vegetation everywhere. Even the blooms of the flowers seemed to be alive to the music and the singing. Music continued to swirl about me. I seemed to be a part of it. It is one thing to try to describe the wonders of this city; it is quite another to know that you will share the joy of it. I saw some of the exuberant citizens of heaven, and they were all dressed in robes. This Scripture came to me: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10) The happiness and joy that beamed from their faces was beyond compare. Heaven is a real place. It is not a figment of someone’s imagination. In the Bible it is re corded that Jesus said, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:1-2) Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Since we as children of God have been transformed and made new by the miracle of regeneration, and since we are now new creations in Christ, it is a joy to know that the place where we will spend eternity is prepared by the Savior who saved us. Heaven is a perfect place. Since our Savior is perfect, omnipotent, and eternal, heaven has to be a perfect place. Because He is preparing us a place there to live with Him for all eternity, our eternal home will be perfect, too. Nothing will ever mar any part of that heavenly abode. There will never be anything allowed to enter heaven to defile it or spoil it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 21:27) Heaven is beyond the reach of sin and sinners of every kind and description. Satan will be forever barred from that heavenly place: And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars [ angelic hosts] of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. (Revelation 12:3-4, 7-10, 12-13) That serpent, Satan, and his unholy cohorts will never again rear their ugly heads in the pure and holy climate of heaven! The demons cannot enter heaven. The fallen angels who rebelled against God and “who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode" (Jude 1:6) cannot return to heaven. Nothing will be lacking in heaven. No de tail will be left out to keep its environment from being perfect. No matter where we go on earth, no matter where we live or how expensive our homes may be, there are obvious faults and flaws to keep them from being perfect. In contrast, God has made no mistakes in constructing the place called heaven. Its glories, its beauties, its wonders are beyond human powers of description. The indescribable splendor of that beautiful place is wondrous to behold. The combined brilliance of the light of the Son of God reflecting on walls of jasper, gates of pearl, mansions unnumbered, and the beautiful River of Life creates a scene no artist could ever adequately depict. HOME OF REDEEMED SOULS Heaven is a permanent place. No enemy will ever conquer the paradise of God. There will be no crumbling of its buildings, no decay of its materials, and no withering or dying of its vegetation. No smog or radiation will ever pollute its holy atmosphere. This permanent, abiding place is an eternal, continuing city. We sing this song, written by Hattie Buell: A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there; Tho’ exiled from Him, yet still I may sing; All glory to God, I’m a child of the King. In that incomparable place, saints will find sweet deliverance from all disappointments, heartaches, tragedies, and disasters. There will be no more sorrow or woe. There will be no more pain. There will be no more crying: And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4) The joyful citizens I saw in heaven seemed to have come from many different ages and countries. Various nationalities seemed obvious to me. Then I remembered another Scripture I had read: And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (Revelation 5:9) EMPLOYED IN PRAISING GOD Excitedly, my soul praised the majesty of God! The sorrows I experienced and the grief I suffered when I saw a revelation of hell now seemed so far away. This was a revelation of heaven. I saw entire families together. Everybody was happy, going somewhere, doing something, smiling. A glow graced every face I saw. All the saints in heaven seemed to be occupied. They were constantly busy. They spent their time praising and magnifying God. Songs were on everyone’s lips. The atmosphere of music was the dominant mood. Eternity will not be spent in leisure and laziness, as some have mistakenly pictured our final destination. We will do more than float on a cloud, strum a harp, or wiggle our toes in the River of Life. Our time will be occupied in service to God. Just what the nature of this service will be, we cannot say, but there can be no doubt that His people will serve Him. DIAMONDS FOR SOULWINNERS I could see diamonds-glittering, glistening, exquisite diamonds-diamonds everywhere! Some were are as large as blocks of concrete. Some of these diamonds seemed to be for the mansions of those who were soulwinners on earth. It seemed that every time someone led a soul to Christ, heaven provided a diamond for that faithful Christian. The Bible says, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30) Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3) As I stood drinking in the splendor and grandeur of that glorious place, I saw an immense, beautiful angel coming down a path. In his hands he held a scroll, which had gold edging on it. The angel laid the scroll on a pedestal table, which was made of a silvery material unlike anything I had ever seen before. The oblong table literally glistened with light. The scroll had a name written on it. One of the saints picked it up and began to read it. “Jesus is the Master Builder," a saint in heaven told me. “He determines who deserves the diamonds and where they go. This scroll I hold is a report from earth of a person who has led someone to Jesus, who fed the poor, who clothed the naked-who did great things for God." When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom pre pared for you from the foundation of the world: “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; “I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? “When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? “Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?" the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25:31-41, 46) ROOM FOR EVERYBODY The angel repeated the welcome theme to me: “Come and see the glory of your God." At the Lord’s direction, I am recording this account of heaven as I saw it. We need to under stand that the focus of our hopes and desires should be to spend all eternity with our Lord. Heaven is the land of dreams come true! I’m excited about heaven because after our works and labors on earth are finished, we will leave this earth and go there. God has prepared the city, and Jesus is preparing a place there for those of us who love Him. PERFECT COMMUNION Unbroken fellowship between God and man will be completely restored in heaven. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, God paid visits to this earth. After fellow ship with Him was broken by sin and disobedience, God continued to show His desire for communion with mankind. His ultimate expression of love for man kind was the giving of His own Son to die a merciless death on a cruel cross. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, fellowship between God and man again became a possibility. Even now, the circumstances of life can hinder our intimate fellowship with God. But, in heaven there will be no more hindrances. We will know perfect fellowship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Fellowship with Him will be complete. Heaven is the abode of the living God. It is far above the atmospheric heavens and beyond the planets and galaxies. It is the everlasting home of “The Redeemed of the LORD" (Isaiah 62:12). It is the eternal destination of all the children of God through faith in Christ. You do not need to fear being crowded into a tiny cubicle in heaven that has been labeled a “mansion." When the redeemed of the ages are gathered home to glory, there will be sufficient room for all of them to have one of the many mansions, the many dwelling places, which Jesus said He was preparing for us in His Father’s house: Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. (John 14:1-4) Heaven definitely has room for everyone:

Topic: The Principal Personality [Tuesday July 21, 2015] Memorise: Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. - Proverbs 4:7 Read: Proverbs 4:5-9 (KJV) 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 28:5-29:36; John 1:29-51 MESSAGE: Today's Bible reading defines wisdom as the principal thing in life. Wisdom is most important because you need it to relate effectively with God, the devil and his cohorts. You also need wisdom to govern your relationships with friends and foes. At work, at school and in the ministry, you need wisdom. With wisdom, you can successfully handle all your life's pursuits. Wisdom connects everything you do. Wisdom can mean the difference between life and death, success and failure, wealth and poverty, growth and retardation. Everything you can ever ask for will come to you if you have wisdom. There are different types of wisdom operating in the natural and spiritual realms. There is devilish wisdom, human wisdom and divine wisdom. Jesus Christ is declared to be the Wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians 1:24: "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." If wisdom is the principal thing, and Jesus Christ is the Wisdom of God, it therefore follows that Jesus Christ is the Principal Person. There is a link between the principal thing and the Principal Person. But why is wisdom so crucial? Proverbs 3:35 says, "The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools." Your pursuit of wisdom will deliver you glory. No wonder the Bible says if you have Jesus Christ, you automatically receive glory (Colossians 1:27). Conversely, if you lack wisdom, shame will be waiting at around the corner for you. There is a direct link between wisdom and a glorious future. Glory is the opposite of shame. Sickness, disease, failure, defeat, poverty, barrenness, stagnation, disappointment are all products of shame. When you have Jesus, you receive wisdom, and when you get wisdom, you have access to glory, which makes every token of shame disappear. As the principal thing, getting every other thing without getting wisdom amounts to a waste of time. In the same vein, acquiring material wealth, academic degrees and attaining heights in any field without having a personal relationship with the Principal Person converts one's gains into one big loss! In all that you strive for, never stop seeking for more of Jesus and His wisdom! Key Point: Having Jesus can deliver every other thing to you, but getting every other thing cannot give you Jesus. - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/07/open-heavens-devotional-july-21-7-2015-principal-personality-pastor-adeboye.html#sthash.TUMsQ9FM.dpuf

LIVING A LIFE BY SUBTRACTION One of the greatest things I have learnt in my short time on earth is that time waits for no man or woman. If you choose to hang around doing nothing, letting years pass you by, your results would be just that – nothing! While that statement is true for everyone, I think ladies should be more conscious about it because of the different phases we have to go through in life. I would try not to bore you with this but I believe that you would be blessed by it. Living Life by Subtraction! Most times, when my husband gives a birthday speech, he always reminds us to live life by subtraction. Even though naturally we may be adding a year to our lives, we are actually subtracting from the number of years left for us on the earth. The bible says, “teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12), so that means we cannot afford to live carelessly. We must be taking account of our days on the earth and that would help us number our time on the earth, because life is time. For example, I strongly believe that I would live long on the earth if Jesus tarries. With that in mind, I have subtracted the number of years I have lived so far from the number of years I would live according to God’s promise of satisfying me with long life – 120. So I know I have only X number of years left on the earth. That, in essence tells me that whatever impact I need to make in my generation must be made quickly; not with a hurried mindset and not moving out of fear just to get it done but with the mindset that time would not wait for me. With the mindset that there is something in me that the world needs and I cannot afford to fail my generation. If I keep telling myself that 5 years is far away and believe I still have all the time in the world to do what God has placed in my hand, without making motion, the 5 years would show up and meet me right on the same spot. In reflecting, I am at an age that most people don’t get to live to see, so I am really greatful to God for preserving my life. The truth is I never thought I would be where I am now at this age. God Himself has taken me and elevated me beyond my wildest dreams, for whatever reason. It may not mean anything to you but I lived in a small city called Tulsa, Oklahoma and God caused my husband to find me there and just by being joined to him, my destiny took a turn for the best; treasures in me began to emerge. Now as a lady, I wasn’t waiting to just get married, I have always had a vision to do some of the things I do now particularly in the not for profit sector but WOW; God saw beyond that and expanded the vision to an even larger scale. While I was in school, I was involved in various activities on campus to develop myself. I am aware that there are many who can do it better but I thank God for trusting me enough and equipping me with what I need; in fact, He is still equipping me!! Even while I didn’t know it, everything I did back then was some kind of preparation! I write all this to tell you that life is time and time is life; you are either investing it or wasting it. It is important for us to understand the times and seasons of our lives and make the most of each season. Don’t plan your life like a man; I always say that a man’s life is not affected when he gets married or even when he becomes a dad. He still goes and comes as he pleases but generally that is not the same for a lady. You become a wife, you have to adjust to catering to someone else; you become mother and you have to go through all the phases from pregnancy to maternity, etc. During those times, you have to take a step back from career, etc to focus on mothering. However, while you are being a mother, carry on adding value to yourself; your children would net depend on you for life. Don’t give room to distractions and stay focused on whatever task God has placed upon you. See whatever you are doing now as training ground for your own center stage! Don’t despise where you are today; you have no idea who God is preparing to cross your path tomorrow. You don’t know who He has directed to meet you right where you are and cause your life and destiny to be enhanced. It may not be a husband, like He did for me. But it would be someone He knows would change your destiny for good. As you do what is required of you, God will grant you His favour which includes speed. Keep telling yourself that you have X amount of time to make impact on the earth and move with a sense of urgency. Give it your all, give it your best and be faithful at it. The truth is that if you want God to favour you in any area of your life, He must find you faithfully committed to it. You will make a mark during your lifetime in Jesus name. - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/07/kemi-oyedepo-living-life-subtraction.html#sthash.g4GpkXOQ.dpuf

CONTINUATION....................... HOW TO TELL YOU ARE IN LOVE Been in love involved more than just emotion. It put the principle to love to work every day. (put in place the principles of love to work everyday i.e be kind, honest to each other). Time in love gives you experience, and help you to know your final decision. Love will keep both of you and let you grow together. When you are in a right relationship, love increases you and keeps you with new energy and interest in life. The time you spend in love give you experience and interest in life. It creates creativity and improvement on you, and pushes you towards success. Love encourages you to operate at your highest level. When you know you love this person and ready to settle down with this person, you will start planning and not about buy things or shopping, but it will be base on investments. We will plan and discuss with each other to have better goal and achievements. The true love you have will help both of you to start building something. When you are in love, you do things construct, in order to succeed. Working harder to achieve vision. Infatuation dies quickly, it bases its self on physical attraction . No matter how far you guys are i.e distance, when there is true love you will be more focus and determined. When its base on kiss, peck and necking and the person is gone, you will always want to have someone to do those things with and that is not love. True love makes you keep your behaviors and maintain it after he or she is not around. True loves does not makes you pretend. When there is commitment, there is love. If you are truly in love, in the spirit of selflessness, you will do what is best for your partner. The test of love is to still feel that true love in you, even if he or she has treated you badly or wrongly. (i.e forget or ignore to do something you asked him or her to do). In true love, you will find it easy and convenient to forgive people that offend you around. No matter how perfect both you are, disappointment will still come. To love him or her, it means you are committed to his or strength, weakness, lapses. The way you handle your problems in a relationship will determine if you can truly love. Understand one another and be ready to work together in both faults , then the true love in both will manifest.,

Topic: Regression and Repression [Monday July 20, 2015] Memorise: And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.-Isaiah 65:21 Read: Judges 6:1-6 (KJV) 1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. 2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. 3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; 4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. 5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it. 6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD. Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 25:14-28:4; John 1:1-28 MESSAGE: A man's state of progress can be classified into seven basic categories; one of which is regression. The state of regression is that in which mean forces beyond one's control continuously push one backward. An example of this is the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34). She went through a lot in the process of seeking help from different doctors. She spent all she had but instead of getting better, she grew worse, because unseen forces kept on pushing her backward. Have you found yourself in a similar situation, where every effort you put in to take you forward moves you backward, or where every effort you put in to improve your lot only complicates matters? The Lord will step into your situation today and deliver you. Every regressive force working against your life, health, progress or destiny is terminated today in Jesus' Name. Another state of progress is repression. This refers to a state in which negative forces push a person down and try to hold him or her down, frustrating every attempt to move up. This can manifest in the hearing of voices that lead one to the other side of progress. In Judges 6:3-6, the children of Israel encountered repression from a particular group of people who decided to afflict them. Whenever the Israelites were sowing in the fields, this group of people pretended not to notice. They never stopped them from exerting their energy or from expending their time and money on their farms. But as soon as their crops were harvested, they swarmed in like locusts and destroyed everything. Thereafter, the Israelites will have to start all over again, after which these enemies would again waste or destroy their harvest in a vicious cycle. When I was very young, there was a very notorious thief who gained so much notoriety that musicians waxed a song about him. His name was Anikura. The lyrics of the song said: "Anikura won't ask you not to trade. He won't ask you not to gain, but he will ensure that you do not take the gain." This epitomises repression! If you are in a state of repression, you will continue to work for devourers and never benefit from your labours. Are you a victim of repression? Do you labour and yet you are unable to enter into your harvest? That repressive force is paralysed today in Jesus' Name. Jesus sets you free from repression! You will eat from your labours from now on in Jesus' Name. Prayer Point: Father, today, let your fire consume every force working against me and trying to stop me from taking the good harvest of my labours, in Jesus' Name!

Topic: Positioned For Generational Blessing [Thursday July 16, 2015] Memorise: There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. - Psalm 14:5 Read: Genesis 48:13-19 (KJV) 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, 16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. 17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head. 18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. 19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 16:1-18:27; Luke 23:18-43 MESSAGE: Shortly before Israel’s death, Joseph his son visited him with his two sons. When it was time to bless the boys, he positioned Manasseh his firstborn to come under his father’s right hand, while Ephraim would come under the left. He knew the implication of position and blessing. But when Israel stretched his hands to bless the boys, he crossed his hands, placing his right hand on the younger and his left hand on the older. Joseph protested but Israel insisted. Let us draw out a few lessons from this passage. The first of these is that after a period of service comes a time of reward. Hence, John the beloved warns in 2 John 8 that: “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” It is therefore possible to labour for something and never get the reward. There will always be a time to reap after sowing. Hence, you need to be very careful what you sow, because the harvest is always around the corner. Another lesson from today’s Bible passage is that after a long stretch of service, there comes a time for the impartation of generational blessings. That is, after serving God for several years, a time comes when the blessing that transcends you will be delivered to your children. This can only be done if you have brought up your children in the way of the Lord. Generational blessings come from God. It is more than just a right; it is a reward for quality and consistent service. Psalm 23:30 says: “A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” When the time comes for a generational blessing to be transferred to your children and your grandchildren, may they not be found wanting in Jesus’ Name. The implication of this is that whatever effort you put into God’s Kingdom is duly recorded, and that for all your efforts in God’s kingdom, a reward awaits your children. This is why you cannot afford to get tired of loving, serving, pleasing and sacrificing to God. Such efforts help to lay a solid foundation for your children’s future. To what extent are you preparing your children for their tomorrow? Abraham served God and it created a higher platform for Isaac. Isaac also served the Lord and Israel rode on the pedestal. Israel continued from there and Joseph was given a soft landing. Joseph loved the Lord and it affected his sons positively. What kind of blessing will be transferred to your children through your service? - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/07/open-heavens-devotional-july-16-7-2015-positioned-generational-blessing-pastor-adeboye.html#sthash.MH7L8fSJ.dpuf

ABNORMAL BY GRACE There are many things people say are normal about family life. For instance, they say it is normal for children to bring disease from school for the whole family. They say it is normal for a husband and wife to fight. They say it is normal for the family to live in debt. They say it is normal for in-laws to bully or mistreat husband/wife. They say it is normal for teenagers to be rude and talk back to their parents without boundaries. There are so many costly and unpleasant normalities that exist in marriage and the family! No wonder many single men and ladies would rather play house than have the real deal. I learnt early on that by the grace of God, such normalities could become an abnormality in my family life. I learnt that if refuse to accept such normalities, they would be far from me. You are probably wondering how you also can ensure that such unpleasant normalities become abnormal for your family. First of all, connect with divine grace through Jesus Christ. That connection through salvation means you are adopted into God’s family. It is what ushers you into a new inheritance and a new way of life. It is what makes your ‘normal’ become different from the norm. It doesn’t stop there though. You still have to DO some things, which bring me to my next point. Seek your new ‘normal’ from the bible; get your picture from God’s Word. There, you will find biblical antidotes to many of the negative ‘normals’ you know now. Sickness, poverty, family crisis, etc are not designed for pleasure. The bible tells you everything you should have instead – which are your inheritance in Christ such as riches, favour, peace, unity, joy, etc. Thirdly, begin to create your new ‘normal’ based on what the bible says you should have. You do this through prayer, fasting, studying the bible, and allowing God’s Word to work in you. Confess it with your mouth and believe it in your heart. Confess what you believe your new normal is. If you are in debt, start confessing abundance. If your child is always sick, start confessing vitality. If there is division, chaos and confusion in your home, declare peace and unity. Make faith-fuelled declarations. Then, start adjusting yourself to a new NORMAL. Start basking in the abnormality of a peaceful family life that comes by God’s grace. - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/07/kemi-oyedepo-abnormal-by-grace.html#sthash.cuWhUtMN.dpuf

Topic: Accomplice to Sin? [Wednesday July 15, 2015] Memorise: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. -Romans 1:32 Read: Romans 1:29-32 (KJV) 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 13:15; Luke 22:63-23:17 MESSAGE: In trying to rationalise and condone certain types of sin, some people have painted them in different colours. Take lying for instance. This evil act has been categorised by some into white, black and so on. Whether it is a grave lie or a lie that cannot hurt a fly, a lie is a lie. Leviticus 19:11 says it is wrong to lie to other brethren. The devil is the father of all liars according to our Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:44). If you wilfully engage in lies, you definitely have the devil as your father. The Bible declares that outside the gates of Heavens are liars: “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” -Revelation 22:15 If a lie is as trivial as people say it is, why would liars be categorised with fornicators, murderers and idol worshippers? If a lie is not grievous, why would the gated of Heaven be shut against liars? Also, in the above Scripture, a distinction is made between those who love lies and those who tell the lies. In other words, some people are branded liars and not because they told a lie, but because they are in accomplice to a lie. If you cover up someone who has lied, you are an accessory to the lie and as a result, a liar yourself. We understand from our memory verse that while two people may commit a particular sin, ten others may be punished along with them for complicity. This is why you must be very careful. In the process of recommending someone for ordination for example, the fellow may lie that he is a house fellowship leader and provide an address, whereas he is not. If his pastor knows the truth but turns a blind eye and goes ahead to present such a candidate for ordination, he has become an accomplice to a lie and might be on his way to Hell unless he repents. This goes for everyone who knows the truth but cover it up. Do not be taken over by the sin of others! If some people choose to sin, let them face its consequences all by themselves. Never support, sponsor or encourage anyone over sinful act. You must be able to tell the fellow that he or she has sinned and condemn that action with all gravity. Never become the pillow on which the sinner will find solace whenever he or she wants to sin, or else, you will partake of divine judgment and end up in Hell together. Key Point: A lot of people will go to Hell because they take pleasure in those who sin. - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/07/open-heavens-devotional-july-15-7-2015-accomplice-sin-pastor-adeboye.html#sthash.nXs0pLO2.dpuf

DONT FALL FOR IT One of the downfalls of many men or women’s destiny is covetousness. It is one of the major destroyers of many homes and marriages. It is defined as the intense desire to have something, especially what belongs to someone else. People are covetous because they are not content with what they have, and many times we find husbands/wives who go through all lengths to get what they covet at all cost, never thinking about the consequences. For example, a man may see a particular vehicle that someone has and lose his mind because he MUST have it by all means. Or a woman may see a particular shoe/dress on someone else and wants it at all cost. Many even put pressure on their spouses to buy them this and that so they can keep up with the trend and with the lifestyle of others. So anytime funds come into the home, their top priority is to spend it, at the expense of the welfare of the family. Yet, when funds are needed for something vital, they start running helter skelter, looking for who can give them the money that should have been there in the first place. It is discontentment that causes such an attitude; people are not happy with what they have, where they are and even whom they are married to; they believe there is something better so they chase after it. It not limited to material things, marriage itself is undermined today because people are covetous. They are discontent with one partner for life; they compare their spouses to others, so that causes dissatisfaction in them to the extent that they go outside of their marital homes looking for “greener pastures”. Covetousness is indeed very costly, and every one of us can be a victim of it if heed is not taken so it is important to be sensitive and ensure that this sin does not take a hold of us because the results are detrimental. That is why Jesus said we must beware of it; we must guard ourselves against it (Luke 12:15). For Him to say beware of it shows how dangerous it is. What is the cure for this? CONTENTMENT! Don’t fall for the perception that any body’s life is better than yours. Don’t fall for the perception that any other man or woman is better than your spouse. Trust me, that man or woman has some flaws that you will not appreciate. Be content and thankful for what pertains to you. Covetousness takes a toll on any person and any family. Stop looking at others and focus on your life and family, to bring the best out of both. So from today, let the attitude of contentment be your watchword.

IT BEGINS WITH VISION Every man ought to know that there is no woman on earth who wants to have a husband who doesn’t know where he is going in life or even worse, who is going nowhere. It can be frustrating, particularly if she has located her own vision and purpose in life. In such scenarios, you find some husbands discouraging their wives or confining her to the home environment. One of the major responsibilities of any leader, even in the family is to have a vision. You must locate your vision in life and communicate it clearly to your wife or intended wife, so she knows what exactly she is getting into and what she is expected to help you achieve in life with God’s help. Any leader who lacks vision cannot inspire those that are following them; those they are leading will have no confidence in them, which tend to cause the followers trying to take the lead, and that ultimately causes confusion and friction. The quality of any leader tells us the overall quality of the organisation, country, business and even family! You are the God-ordained leader of your home; it is not enough to bask in that authority given to you, yet be a failure at it. Unfortunately, many marriages and families are perishing because there is no vision (Proverbs 29:18). You are the leader; if you don’t want your family to perish, have a vision and get your family members on board. Leadership begins with vision! Dear Man, whether married or single, have the mind-set that how far your family goes, really depends on you. And your family can go nowhere if you have no vision! - See more at: http://www.flatimes.com/2015/07/kemi-oyedepo-it-begins-with-vision.html#sthash.y7zf60IN.dpuf

Guidelines to Having Godly Relationships & Avoiding the Dating Game OVERALL THEME God’s plan is not just “seeing” someone or “dating” someone - God’s plan is covenant! From the beginning of time, God’s plan has always been about covenant. Walking holy in our relationships with others comes out of having a covenant relationship with God. The day we are truly born - again, we crossover and become NEW CREATURES! Our old man has passed away! This means that God’s way is going to seem “foreign” or “strange” to our flesh. However, a preacher once said, “When God comes back, we will be just like Him and He is not the one who is going to have to change, it will be us!” Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT 22 Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 5:1-5 NLT 1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes, these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

continuation Been in love involved more than just emotion. It put the principle to love to work every day. (put in place the principles of love to work everyday i.e be kind, honest to each other). Time in love gives you experience, and help you to know your final decision. Love will keep both of you and let you grow together. When you are in a right relationship, love increases you and keeps you with new energy and interest in life. The time you spend in love give you experience and interest in life. It creates creativity and improvement on you, and pushes you towards success. Love encourages you to operate at your highest level. When you know you love this person and ready to settle down with this person, you will start planning and not about buy things or shopping, but it will be base on investments. We will plan and discuss with each other to have better goal and achievements. The true love you have will help both of you to start building something. When you are in love, you do things construct, in order to succeed. Working harder to achieve vision. Infatuation dies quickly, it bases its self on physical attraction . No matter how far you guys are i.e distance, when there is true love you will be more focus and determined. When its base on kiss, peck and necking and the person is gone, you will always want to have someone to do those things with and that is not love. True love makes you keep your behaviors and maintain it after he or she is not around. True loves does not makes you pretend. When there is commitment, there is love. If you are truly in love, in the spirit of selflessness, you will do what is best for your partner. The test of love is to still feel that true love in you, even if he or she has treated you badly or wrongly. (i.e forget or ignore to do something you asked him or her to do). In true love, you will find it easy and convenient to forgive people that offend you around. No matter how perfect both you are, disappointment will still come. To love him or her, it means you are committed to his or strength, weakness, lapses. The way you handle your problems in a relationship will determine if you can truly love. Understand one another and be ready to work together in both faults , then the true love in both will manifest.,

Greater works than this will i do in HIM.